In an exclusive interaction with Travel Mail, Mr. Damian Borg, Senior Director of Sales, Strategy and Operations – APAC at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., shares insights into the brand’s 10-year journey in India, the rising popularity of fly-cruise holidays, and expansion plans for 2026 and 2027.
How long have you been participating in the Indian market, and how has the response been so far?
We established our office in India 10 years ago, when we opened our regional headquarters in Australia. Manoj and the team here have been representing us for a decade, which is fantastic.
For us, the opportunity in India is primarily around fly-cruise. We understand that the local market wants more short sailings departing directly from India, and every successful cruise market needs a strong domestic homeport product. However, that’s not our speciality. We focus on fly-cruise experiences — where guests fly to destinations like Europe, Alaska, Asia, Australia, or the Caribbean and then board our ships.
It’s a different proposition, but once travellers experience our product, the response is incredible.
How is the Indian market performing in terms of numbers and segments?
The Indian market continues to grow year after year, and we’re very excited about that trajectory. Growth will only accelerate as air connectivity from India to our key destinations increases.
We are seeing strong demand from multi-generational families — grandparents travelling with children and grandchildren — because our onboard offerings cater very well to all age groups. At the same time, MICE and incentive groups are performing strongly, with large corporates choosing cruise experiences for rewards and conferences.
Europe remains our top destination for Indian travellers, particularly the Mediterranean and the Baltic. Alaska follows closely, and then Asia.
How big are weddings and MICE onboard your ships?
In my time, I’m aware of at least one wedding onboard — and it’s truly a spectacular celebration. We have a well-established MICE team that handles incentives and large group bookings seamlessly.
Our ships feature dedicated meeting spaces and multiple dining venues that can accommodate both intimate groups and larger gatherings. Plus, our itineraries dock at ports almost daily, allowing guests to explore destinations before returning to a beautiful ship each evening.
What are your plans for 2026 and 2027, particularly for the Indian market?
For India, we plan to double down on education — both for trade partners and consumers — particularly around new European itineraries. We’ve introduced several seven-day, one-way sailings in Europe for 2026 and 2027. These shorter durations are very appealing to Indian travellers who may have limited vacation time.
We also want to encourage earlier bookings. Cruising has grown significantly since the pandemic. While we continue to introduce new ships — including Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna launching from Miami — demand is rising rapidly. Booking early ensures better availability and value. Guests can cancel without penalty up to 90 days prior, so there’s flexibility and security in planning.
We’re also looking at Australia as an exciting opportunity. In January next year, we’re launching two new four-day itineraries aboard the Norwegian Spirit, marking the first time we’ve offered short sailings in Australia. We hope to encourage Indian travellers to combine a Sydney stay with a cruise experience.
Are there plans to sail from Indian ports like Goa or Chennai?
As a group, along with our sister brands Regent and Oceania, we have 17 ships on order over the next 10 years. As new ships enter service, existing vessels naturally redeploy to other parts of the world.
India represents a growing demographic for us, with tremendous long-term potential. While I can’t make any promises, I certainly hope we will bring more ships — including larger vessels — closer to this region in the future.
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